Three New Independent Food Spots Have Just Opened in Poole

Photo: Unsplash

Poole’s food scene has three new names to get acquainted with – and if sushi, proper pizza or charcoal-grilled Middle Eastern food sounds like your kind of lunch, you’ll want to know about these.

The first-floor Street Food area at The Dolphin Poole has welcomed three independent food businesses to its line-up: Sumo Sushi, Ojo’s Pizza and Betsylicious.

All three are now open, joining existing Street Food favourites Noodlebar and Loco Lime and bringing Japanese, Italian and Middle Eastern flavours to the centre.

Sushi fans, this one’s for you.

Sumo Sushi is a brand-new Japanese sushi bar from the team behind Noodlebar, which already has a following at The Dolphin.

The new concept brings freshly prepared sushi to the Street Food line-up, giving shoppers another quick lunch or casual dinner option right in the centre of Poole. The venue is at Unit 94 on the first floor of The Dolphin. 

There’s something we rather like about an existing independent using its success to try something completely new - and with Japanese food joining an increasingly varied collection of cuisines here, it makes the whole Street Food concept more interesting too.

Phone: +44 1202 028522

Instagram: SumoSushi.uk

Next up is Ojo’s Pizza - and this opening marks quite a milestone for the business.

Ojo’s started life as a mobile pizza operation, building a local following before making the move into its first permanent restaurant at The Dolphin. The new restaurant opened in August and can be found at Unit 93. (Dorset Chamber)

It’s exactly the kind of local business story we love: start small, build an audience and then find a place to call home.

Phone: +44 7511 934338

Instagram: ojospizza

The third arrival brings a taste of the Middle East and Turkey to Poole.

Betsylicious is the creation of Btissam Mikram and marks her first restaurant in Poole, with a menu centred around Middle Eastern and Turkish flavours.

Expect the likes of handmade lamb shawarma, charcoal-grilled meats and plenty of those warm, aromatic flavours that make this style of food particularly good for sharing.

The business is also planning an official launch event on Monday 31 August, with food samples and live music – so there’s another date for local foodies to put in the diary. 

Phone: +44 7903 520018

Photo: Facebook

The three arrivals are part of The Dolphin’s growing focus on independent food and drink.

Centre Manager John Grinnell describes Street Food as a celebration of local independent vendors, and the latest openings certainly make the offering broader – whether you fancy sushi, pizza, Mexican-inspired food, noodles or Middle Eastern flavours. (Dorset Chamber)

For us, though, the best bit is seeing independent businesses being given the opportunity to grow. With Ojo’s moving from mobile pizza to its first permanent home, Sumo Sushi launching as a new concept and Betsylicious bringing another independent restaurant to Poole, there are now three very good reasons to head upstairs next time you’re at The Dolphin.

The Dolphin, 110 Dolphin Centre, Poole, BH15 1SZ

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